When I'm Gone

Album: His + Hers (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Sandy Lawrence penned ballad finds Joey Feek singing of a dying wife reassuring her husband that he'll be okay when she's gone. "I was devastated, absolutely devastated when I heard it and what it meant and coming from the person who is leaving their loved one," Joey told The Boot regarding the song. "That concept was just something that I had never heard or thought of before, and it really struck me."
  • Sandy Lawrence is a friend of Joey and Rory's. The songwriter, who has never had a cut recorded before, wrote the track when she was losing her mother. "She was watching her mother pass, and she was so badly needing her mother to tell her those words," Joey explained. "She needed affirmation that everything was going to be okay after her mom died and she wasn't able to get it from her, but she wanted to write this to leave to her son and to her husband and to let them know that if anything were to ever happen, everything is going to be okay when I'm gone."

    "When we recorded it, it was just magical," he added. "She came in while we were recording it in the studio and then I had her sing the harmony vocals on it with Rory and then when we shot the music video, it just seemed so fitting that she played the piano."
  • In November 2015, Rory announced that Joey had terminal cancer and they were stopping all treatment. Following the disclosure of the diagnosis, fans of the duo started campaigning to get this song to the top of the iTunes charts.

Comments: 1

  • Sheila from MissouriMy dad is in Heaven.
    My husband is in Heaven.
    I play this video often.
    This video is a comfort to me.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.